Mackinac Island
By Jeannette Doud 847-3301

Time draws near for Christmas Eve. At historic Ste. Anne's Church, bright glowing Christmas lights are inviting everyone to the 8 p.m. service, with Father Rey Garcia officiating.

The altars will be banked with red poinsettias, lighted white tapers in century-old brass candelabras, and gold lace dating back more than 100 years.

Beautiful Christmas carols will be played by Peggy Bynoe and sung by choir members. The bright star in the east will announce the Holy Night.

The Island is draped in winter white. It's evening, and tranquility reigns. Homes and businesses are aglow with the Christmas spirit.

The night is radiant. High above, on the ramparts of Old Fort Mackinac, stands a spectacular evergreen, proudly overlooking the park below and the peaceful waters of the harbor. It is serene.

Our snow is clean and perfectly lovely, bringing happiness to all of the residents who are enjoying their snowmobiles. Faces of joy and peace can be seen as they go passing by. Oh, what fun it is to live on Mackinac.

We wish to welcome members of the staff of Grand Hotel, who are experiencing living on Mackinac during the winter season.

They are Ken and Deb Styburski and children Christian, Hannah, and Mabel. Ken is head of the accounting office. Jason and Kelly Horricks with their daughters, Makenna and Megan, are enjoying snowmobiling on the Island. They have a new puppy, Mulligan. Jason is the golf pro at Grand Hotel. Carl and Sandi Ellis are seen walking and taking in the winter sights of Mackinac.

Carl works with Mimi Cunningham in the gift shops, and Sandi is in the accounting department. All of the children are enjoying attending the Mackinac Island Public School.

The cement carrier Alpena was was sighted with a big star on its stack, all aglow for the holidays. Many freighters have been passing through the Straits, decked out for the season.

The Mustang Lounge project is progressing each day. Fortunately, the weather has cooperated.

Thursday, December 13, Helga Doud was guest of honor at a delightful family gathering to celebrate her 101st birthday at the Village Inn. Helga is a wonderful lady and we were all so pleased to join her.

Family members came from Petoskey and Colorado to join in the festivities.

Congratulations to Mike and Libby Riordan of Marietta, Georgia, on the birth of their new daughter, Reese Elizabeth, born Sunday, December 9. She is joined at home by her big brother, Jack. Proud grandparents are Virginia McIntyre Riordan and her husband, Dan, of Mackinac and Marietta, Georgia. Best wishes from Island friends.

The family of Judy Dufina Bynoe will celebrate her birthday at a dinner party at the Brian Schoenborn residence in St. Ignace Friday, December 21.

Speaking with my friend, Jennifer Karhoff, of Findlay, Ohio, Monday morning, I learned that they were snowed in from the big nor'easter that hit them Sunday night.

Joan Slater received some very sad news this past week. Her brother-in-law, Wayne Poppe, 52, died suddenly at his home Thursday, December 6, in Excelsior, Minnesota. He is survived by his wife, Joyce, and daughter, Jill, who is a senior in high school. Joan left Mackinac Monday for Minnesota. Deepest sympathy from Island friends.

Best wishes to our good friend, Gene Hagenbaugh, who has been very ill and is a patient at Northern Michigan Hospital in Petoskey. Sadie and Amber, your faithful companions, are missing you. All of your friends wish you a very speedy recovery.

We are missing our good neighbors, Ann Bronfman and Janey Hart of Lakewood Cottage, who will be in Connecticut for the holidays.

The Christmas Bazaar was very successful. After all of the expenses were paid, Ste. Anne's, Trinity Church, Little Stone Church, Mackinac Island Bible Church, and the Mackinac Island Medical Center each received $8,000. Everyone contributed to make this event so profitable.

Bright new Christmas lights are appearing on Market Street at Tess Beardsley's cottage, the Hellis residence, and the home of Jeff Shaffer and Dwight LaPine is decorated for the season, with a lighted Mickey Mouse high on the house. Let us not forget the beautiful lighted tree at the Mackinac Island Medical Center, the lighted garland at First National Bank, and the Christmas decorations at Metivier Inn and Hart's Haven, tastefully displayed by Diane Neyer.

Jason St. Onge received a special Christmas gift Tuesday, December 18, a darling new puppy named Penny Lane.

Monday evening, December 10, Father Rey Garcia of Ste. Anne's saw a light on in Ste. Anne's Hall and decided that he would check it out. When he arrived, a group of 40 parishioners and friends called out "surprise!"

It was his 70th birthday, and a great party was at hand. After he blew the candles out on a delicious cake made by Lori Meyers, he had everyone join him in singing "Those were the Good Old Days." He was so happy and pleased. Father Rey will leave Friday, December 28, for a threeweek vacation in the Philippines, where he will visit his family.

Ste. Anne's Church Administrator Nikki Gugin left Friday, December 14, for her home in Iowa, to attend her grandmother's funeral. Deepest sympathy to Nikki from Island friends.

Saturday, December 15, family and friends gathered at the Taylor residence on Mackinac to celebrate little Kennedy's first birthday. She is the daughter of Josh and Crystal. A wonderful time was enjoyed by everyone.

Islanders who knew The Reverend Monsignor Louis Cappo, when he was assigned to St. Ignatius Parish in St. Ignace many years ago, mourn his passing in Marquette Monday, December 10.

Congratulations and warmest wishes to Andrew Doud, who has Doud's Market filled with many goodies for the holiday season.

The Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians held a Christmas party for the Island children Sunday, December 16.

Santa arrived, bearing gifts for all. The Sault Tribe is appreciated by Islanders for hosting this festive event.

Paul Fullerton flew to Naples, Florida, to join his good friend, Dennis Brodeur, on his 87th birthday Saturday, December 8. A wonderful time was enjoyed by everyone.

Students home for the holidays are Lake Sweet from Albion College, and Josh Carley and Eric Cowellfrom Saginaw Valley State University. Have a great vacation!

Nicole Smith of St. Johns has been a guest of Andrew Doud for the past two weeks.

It's that great time of year, when friends greet old friends, either in person or in colorful Christmas cards and letters.

Happy, healthy, and holy Christmas to all the readers of The St. Ignace News, and a New Year filled with good wishes for 2008!