St. Ignace
By Miriam Blair 643-7994

The Pavillion Mall in St. Ignace was converted into "Santa Land" during the annual Home for the Holidays Christmas Parade and tree lighting November 30. Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus greeted a packed hallway of children waiting to have professional photographs taken with the couple. Helping the Claus' are (from left) Mackenzie Postma, Bethany Davis, and Morgan Postma. (Photograph by Tina Jones)

As Christmas nears, many school and church programs are being held. Tis the season to be jolly!

An added feature at First Baptist Church last Sunday was guitarist Gale Wisner, who entertained to the tune, "When the Storm Passes By." Maria Saylor and Vern Faleris sang, "We Wanna Wish You a Merry Christmas."

Vern Faleris hosted a lovely dinner Sunday, December 9. In attendance were Mr. and Mrs. Richard Peterson, Mr. and Mrs. Dan Fenlon, and myself. The food was thoroughly enjoyed, and the table was decorated with extreme attention.

For those who'd like some help with running errands in St. Ignace, we've learned a new service is available. Kip and Joan Rodriguez have begun Kip's Errand Express Service in town, and they'll pick up and deliver food from grocery stores and restaurants, deliver mail or prescriptions, run banking errands, and provide pick up and delivery to the ferry docks and the airport. You can send them on an errand to deliver a holiday gift, or even call them for help if you run out of gas. Kip and Joan say they see a need for this service among the town's senior citizens, people with young children, or people who are always busy with work and other responsibilities. Kip's service will run errands for a household or a business, but doesn't provide passenger service.

The senior housing complex on Lake Street hosted a holiday open house Friday morning, December 14, with all sorts of homemade goodies.

What a good idea for folks to get in the Christmas spirit. Santa and Mrs. Claus joined in the party on their way to visit the children at Gros Cap School. Mary Jane Ryerse celebrated her birthday that same day.

The Hope Chest resale store is a busy place and accepts all donations and volunteers. Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays the hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday evening is sorting night, and the store is open for business from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Trevor Blair celebrated his 13th birthday Monday, December 17, along with his uncle, Dustin Wilcox, Tuesday, December 18.

Belated birthday greetings to Maria Saylor Wednesday, December 12.

Belated anniversary greetings for Holly and John Hallman, November 28. Donna and Ed Ryan celebrated Thursday, December 6. Hazel (nee Smith) and Joe Decker will celebrate Sunday, December 23.

Gene Clark has a birthday, Saturday, December 22, Annette Bloswick Monday, December 24, Cheryl Sheehy Wednesday, December 26, and John Bloswick Thursday, December 27.

"It's fine to turn over a new leaf, but there's always someone snooping through the old pages."

- Pappy Maverick