Mackinac Island
By Jeannette Doud 847-3301

Members of Mackinac Island's Junior Troop 127 reaffirm their commitment to live by the Girl Scout law at a rededication ceremony Tuesday, November 6. Scouts taking part include (from left) Keely Johnson, Adrienne Rilenge, Amelia Roe, Meadow Greenlee, Zhane Nash, Dana Roguska, Jessica Beaune, Hailey Armstrong, and Kyra Kolatski. (Photograph taken by Julie Greenlee)

The gray days of November are upon us, bringing dark skies, cool temperatures, and occasional rain showers. The winds blow, sending the red and yellow leaves softly to the ground, making a cushion of softness underfoot. The gardens are bare, and carefully groomed in anticipation of the rebirth of spring in 2008.Chipmunks and squirrels can be seen daily, gathering their chestnuts and other bits of food before the arrival of snow. We're feeding a great number of ducks, bluejays, mourning doves, and chickadees. Melly Hagenbaugh saw three beautiful white swans swimming in front of the Musser's Corner Cottage on Lakeshore Drive Monday, November 12. It was a beautiful sight.

A craft night will be held Wednesday evenings at 7 p.m. at the Mackinac Island Public Library. Bring your craft, and enjoy meeting new friends.

Time is fast approaching for our annual Christmas Bazaar Saturday, December 1, Sunday, December 2, and Monday, December 3, which is the ushering in of the holiday season on Mackinac. We still need items for the big auction, and they can be mailed or dropped off at the Mackinac Island Medical Center. Donations will be greatly appreciated. This event will be fun for the young and old. Come and join in the Christmas spirit. Fresh lighted evergreens will welcome everyone to the Community Hall. The lighting of the city Christmas tree will be Thursday, November 29, at 5 p.m. This event will kick off a festive weekend.

Saturday, November 3, Greg Main of Mackinac Island, while visiting family in Manistique, ran into Jeff "Beef" Gamble of St. Ignace, who worked for many years on the boats at Arnold Transit Company. He is now employed on the beautiful freighter Wilfred Skyes, which is docked at Port Inland in Manistique. Jeff wanted to be remembered to all his Island friends. We look forward to a salute when he sails through the Round Island Passage.

Nona and Ed Chambers joined Ed's friends Saturday, November 10, at the annual gathering in Dearborn of many of Ed's neighbors at the Penn Street Reunion. Penn Street is where Ed and his family lived for many years. Ed attended a nurse's convention Monday and Tuesday in Troy, and celebrated his birthday November 12.

Saturday, November 3, The Weather Channel aired a program on Mackinac Island. It was very well done, with many wonderful pictures of the Island and the Mackinac Bridge. It certainly was great publicity for the Straits region.

We give a warm and hearty welcome to a group of Grand Hotel employees, who are excited to spend their first winter on Mackinac. The Island is a special place during the winter months.

Today, Monday, November 12, the mighty Huron started on the run between the Island and St. Ignace. She certainly has been a faithful ship, and serves everyone well.

Dr. Richard Hodgman and his wife, Karen, were at the Mackinac Island Medical Center over the weekend. He was the doctor in residence in the absence of Dr. Don Weersing. As always, the Hodgmans came loaded down with items for the Christmas Bazaar.

Each day we can see the Island's orange-coated hunters leaving for their hunting camps on the mainland or Bois Blanc Island. They often travel across the Straits in their small boats, very visible by their bright-colored clothing. We wish everyone a safe and lucky season.

We know that Paul Fullerton and Joe Kompsi are on Bois Blanc getting prepared for opening day of deer hunting Thursday, November 15. We're so happy that Joe has recuperated so well from his recent surgery, and that he is able to be with all his friends in the hunting camps.

We welcome home Bertha Green, who spent the weekend at Northern Michigan Hospital in Petoskey. It surely would not be a Christmas Bazaar without her presence. She comes for the three days of festivities and has a wonderful time.

A call from Barbara Hellis from her home in Northville tells of their plans for the Thanksgiving holiday. Brian and Barbara will meet Bev and Bob Benjamin in Charleston, South Carolina, for a few days before traveling to Hilton Head, South Carolina, where they will join the Holts for Thanksgiving. I'm sure the main topic of conversation will be Mackinac. Happy birthday to Bev November 27. Enjoy a fun time.

London Square on Market Street will be open for holiday shopping.

Happy birthday to Erin Bagbey November 16. Enjoy your day.

Cindy Frez of Stonecliffe is recovering from surgery for the removal of a brain tumor at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit October 15. She continues to struggle with infections, but her family is optimistic about her recovery. All of us on Mackinac wish her well. Friends can send get-well wishes in care of her daughter, Ashley Cieslinski, 9189 Lakeview Court, Saline, MI 48176.

Monday evening, November 12, at the Mackinaw District Library, Brian Dunnigan, interim director of the William L. Clements Library of the University of Michigan, spoke to the Mackinaw Historical Society on his upcoming book, "Mackinac Before Photography." The talk focused on Dunnigan's research into pre-photographic images of the Straits of Mackinac area, and how they serve as historical documents. The book, to be released by Wayne State University Press in April 2008, is titled "A Picturesque Situation: Mackinac Before Photography, 1615-1860." Congratulations to Brian on this great accomplishment. We're all anxiously waiting to purchase a copy of the new book.

Savannah Smith of St. Ignace will celebrate her 12th birthday November 20. Have a great day.

Game Night will be held every Thursday evening at 7 p.m. at Ste. Anne's Hall. Come and join in the fun.

Happy birthday November 23 to Vicki Urman and Bob St. Onge. Have a wonderful day.

Jeff Shaffer and his mother will return to Mayo Clinic this week for a checkup. Good luck from Island friends.

Jack Dehring will celebrate his birthday November 24. Enjoy your day.

Sara Bunker Sutherland returned to her home in Orlando, Florida, after spending three weeks with her family, the Larry Rickley Sr. and the Larry Rickley Jr. family. Sara had a wonderful time celebrating her birthday and that of her mother, Irene. It's always great to see you back home on Mackinac.

Anna Rogers Stott, James Mitchell, and Darcy Brodeur-Bunker will all celebrate their birthdays November 25. Have a great day.

Jody, Clara, Maggie, and Robert Chambers enjoyed a weekend visiting Grandpa Dick Johnson in Clarklake, Emma at Ferris State University, and attending a Michigan State University girl's volleyball game. Jody's niece is one of the players. Jane Finkel joined the family for the little vacation.

Best wishes to our good friend, Chris McCready, who has not been feeling her best. Your Island friends send special greetings.

A warmhearted wish for the joy and the fun that makes your Thanksgiving a wonderful one!