Mackinac Island
By Jeannette Doud 847-3301

The weather was picture perfect over the weekend, as Grand Hotel welcomed more than 2,000 members of the Michigan Republican Convention. Mackinac was a very busy place, especially Main Street, where business was brisk. Many parties were held at restaurants and private homes. Golf games were enjoyed at the Little Jewel and Woods. Cheering could be heard from the veranda of Grand Hotel as national candidates began to arrive. It was a spirited time on the Island.

While Mayor Pro-Tem Armand "Smi" Horn was watching the late Fox News Friday evening, he saw former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, standing on the front porch of Grand Hotel, being interviewed by reporter Greta Van Susteren, who said that Mackinac is a very special place and she wanted some Mackinac fudge. Smi and Mayor Margaret Doud carried out Greta's request by bringing three bags of the delicacy to Grand Hotel, and had the pleasure of meeting Speaker Gingrich, who would carry it back to Washington for Greta.

Our story has just begun. Many years ago, Greta and her family would come every summer for a vacation at the Windermere Hotel, from their home in Appleton, Wisconsin. Their favorite restaurant was Wandrie's, owned and operated by Dennis Brodeur's grandparents and parents. The Brodeurs owned a nice little black spaniel dog that charmed and loved the Van Susteren family. As they left for home one year after their vacation, the Brodeurs gave them the dog. Greta's mother was a librarian, who wrote a book about the new addition to their family. It certainly is a small world. Every time we see Greta on national television, we think of her Mackinac connection.

Monday, September 24, was another beautiful fall day on Mackinac. The sky was a deep blue with brilliant sun shining brightly. Here and there a tinge of color is appearing on the trees lining Cadotte Avenue.

Happy belated wedding anniversary to Sara and Greg Sutherland September 11. Hope to see you soon on Mackinac.

The Jockey Club closed for the season Sunday evening, September 23. It's a special place, where the men in charge, Headley, Steadley, Clive, and Randolph, welcome guests with their gracious personality. We hope they enjoy their winter, and we look forward to seeing them in the spring.

As we were walking home, a brilliant moon slowly ascended in the sky, shining down on the Little Jewel Golf Course. It was a beautiful sight.

Happy birthday to Patsy LaPine September 26. Have a great day.

The blooming flowers that have made the Island so beautiful during the summer months continue to bring happiness to all our visitors in the fall. Don and Gracie Francis' garden at their home in the Mission is very attractive.

Vic Callewaert will celebrate his birthday September 28. Happy birthday from Island friends.

We give a warm welcome to Lt. Commander of the U.S. Navy, Ken Thompson, who is on leave from his base in Hawaii. Ken is visiting his lovely wife at their home on Market Street, the Lilac House B&B. Upon retirement from the U.S. Navy, Ken will make his home at Mackinac once again.

Walking side by side Monday, September 24, were Mackinac Island Carriage Tours horses that will rest for the winter on the Chambers farm near Sault Ste. Marie. They're looking mighty fine following a busy summer taking visitors on tours of Mackinac.

We're happy to report that Linda Price is back in her comfortable home in Harrisonville following her accident. Best wishes from Island friends.

Warmest and best wishes to our good friend, Karl Ellis, of Grand Hotel, who was rushed to Northern Michigan Hospital in Petoskey Friday. We hope that this finds him much improved.

Our good friend and neighbor, Tim Timmons, will celebrate his birthday September 30. Have a wonderful day.

Rosemary Gustin of St. Ignace, an emergency medical technician, was on call with Allied at the Mackinac Island Medical Center Sunday, September 23. It was great to see her on Mackinac.

Congratulations to Rod Nelson, CEO of Mackinac Straits Hospital in St. Ignace, who worked diligently securing funds for the building of a new hospital and long term care facility. Rod and his staff do a great job. Five of our Island residents are patients in the long term care facility.

Congratulations to the Mackinac Island Lakers soccer team, who are undefeated. They traveled to Hannahville over the weekend, where they won two games.

We received word today from Veronica Massaway, that Iola Sherwood passed away Saturday, September 22, at her daughter's home in Davison. For years, Mrs. Sherwood worked at Joann's Fudge Shop, where she made many friends.

Her husband was employed by Mackinac Island Carriage Tours at Surrey Hills. They were a wonderful couple who enjoyed Mackinac. Island friends send deepest sympathy to the family.

The beautiful wedding ceremony at Ste. Anne's Saturday, September 22, uniting Debra Ann Klos and Jack Dehring III was attended by family and friends. Celebrant was Father Jim Williams. A full account of the wedding will appear in a future edition of The St. Ignace News.

It was great to see Rosie Charnes of Indianapolis, Indiana, Suzanne Munger of West Carrollton, Ohio, and Wayne and Joan Zwolinski of Petoskey at the wedding of Debra Klos and Jack Dehring III September 22.

Congratulations to Sydney Kleinhenz, daughter of Cary and Brooke of Harbor Springs, and granddaughter of Robert and Annette Gillespie of Mackinac Island, who received a Calvin Honors Scholarship from Calvin College in Grand Rapids. Sydney is a freshman and is studying pharmacy. Best wishes from Island friends.

Happy birthday to Tyler Finkel October 1. Have a great day.

Guests of Kay Hoppenrath have been her cousin, Grace and Sig Stocking of Albuquerque, New Mexico, who love the Island and visit each summer. Nice to see you again.

Happy wedding anniversary to Matt and Anneke Myers October 2. Enjoy your day.

Fall decorations of colored leaves and pumpkins are beginning to decorate the windows in shops on Main and Market Streets.

Welcome home to her lovely Lakewood Cottage on Lakeshore Drive, Ann Bronfman. She enjoys the fall on Mackinac.

Eric St. Onge of Lansing attended the Michigan Republican Convention at Grand Hotel. He joined his parents, Glenn and Deana, and brother, Jason, on the Island.

Barbara and Brian Hellis are spending two weeks at their home in Northville. They will return to their Island cottage in early October.

Happy anniversary to Dan and Pauline Mitchell October 3. Have a wonderful day.

The Frank Horn Memorial baseball game Thursday, September 20, was successful. Folks enjoyed a great game, good food, raffles, silent auction, and danced under the stars to Jason St. Onge's band, "Tricky Dickie and the Spoonmen." It was a beautiful Mackinac night. Folks from St. Ignace seen enjoying the festivities were Larry and Robin Belonga, Jen Glashaw, Mary Rogers, and Roger Horn. Everyone had a great time.

Happy birthday to Debra Orr October 7. She and her sister, Sandra, will be celebrating at their home in Naples, Florida. Sandra left delicious apricot jam that I found at our front door.

Candi and Brian Dunnigan spent Saturday night at their Easterly Cottage, which they closed for the season Sunday, September 23. They've returned to their winter home in Grass Lake.

The Mackinac Island State Park Commission held their Thursday, September 20, meeting at Fort Mackinac.

Happy wedding anniversary to Elliott and Rita Sue Cohen and Brad and Sheryl Conkey October 3. Island friends send special greetings.

Happy birthday October 2 to our good friend, Ernie Glashaw of St. Ignace.

Jeff Davenport and his lovely mother, Gloria, of St. Ignace are very pleased and happy to welcome a new member of the family, six-week-old "King," a fine looking black, white, and brown beagle puppy that is bringing excitement and joy to them. Jeff sent over some photographs of this handsome little fellow.

Happy birthday October 4 to Jim Hagenbaugh and Mary Thompson. Enjoy your day.

Bishop Patrick Cooney, of the Gaylord Diocese, officiated at an Irish Mass Saturday, September 22, at 4 p.m. at Ste. Anne's.

Jerry Ballenger, a member of the popular Irish Pub Runners, provided lively music for the service. A dinner followed in Ste. Anne's Hall. Everyone enjoyed a wonderful time.

Best wishes to Sean Burt, who celebrated his third birthday September 20. A family birthday party was held Saturday, September 22, with his grandparents, Janet and Dick Burt of Bedford, Indiana, who are visiting for a week. His grandparents, Crissie and Jack Staats, and his great-grandmother, Mary McNair of Petoskey, joined the family gathering for the day.

Happy second birthday to Donavan Gugin September 24. The family held a party in Ste. Anne's Hall Sunday for all of Donavan's little friends.

Mark and Jody Chambers will celebrate their wedding anniversary October 5. Hope your day will be special.

If you would like to see a beautiful sight, just take a leisurely walk or bike ride to view the flowers at Mission Point. They're very attractive.

Enjoy the beautiful fall colors!