A green Christmas it was on Mackinac Island for 2007. The evening was radiant and beautiful as many attended the Christmas Eve services at Ste. Anne's. Father Rey Garcia officiated, with the combined choirs of Trinity and Ste. Anne's providing beautiful music for the 8 p.m. Mass.

At the closing, who appeared to the delight of all the children, but the jolly old elf, Santa Claus. He passed out candy canes to all of the little ones. Refreshments followed in Ste. Anne's Hall. It was truly a magical evening.

Congratulations to Ulysses "Duke" and Alicia Sistrunk on the birth of their daughter, Janet Jean Ann Arie, December 23. She weighed seven pounds, 12 ounces and is joined at home by two big brothers. Proud grandparents are Lori and Rodney Meyers of Mackinac Island.

Happy belated birthday wishes to Bob Green, who celebrated December 19. Island friends send special greetings.

It's Thursday, December 27, and we are receiving a fine dusting of soft snow. It's just enough to make folks happy that they may once again be able to ride their snowmobiles.

Happy birthday to Louie Bunker January 2. Enjoy your day.

The Island received sad news last week. Ernest "Rapp" Brown, who had worked for Grand Hotel for many years, died in Florida last week.

Rapp came to Mackinac with his good friend, the late Charlie Williams. He had a wonderful personality and welcomed the many guests who came to the Woods restaurant. Deepest sympathy to his family from all of his Mackinac friends.

Alice Bloswick and Dean Gillespie Sr. will celebrate their birthdays January 3. Have a great day.

Trish and Alice Martin entertained family members over the Christmas holiday, Barbara Libby from Grand Rapids, the Wayne Bellcross family from Wisconsin, and Doug and Ivi Beal from Minnesota. Steve Anderson from Charlevoix joined the family after Christmas.

Congratulations to Mary Beth Daniels, Ken Hayward, and Steve Decker of Grand Hotel, who were the winners of the Mackinac Fantasy Football League.

Andrew Doud entertained his employees at a very nice Christmas dinner Thursday evening, December 20. Everyone enjoyed wonderful food and lots of good laughs.

We send special birthday wishes to little Olivia Chambers, who will turn 11 years old January 3. All of her friends send her greetings.

Students home for the holidays are Eric Cowell and Josh Carley from Saginaw Valley State University, Miranda McMahon from Aquinas College, Richard Chambers from Northern Michigan University, Emma Chambers from Ferris State University, Lake Sweet from Albion College, Roxanne Pettit and Kristi Kamphuis from Grand Valley State University, Emily St. Onge from Northwestern Michigan College, Sara Porter and Blisse Beardsley from the University of Michigan, and Jason Pettit from Lansing Community College.

Dan Wightman, Caleb Kolatski, and Deana St. Onge will all celebrate their birthdays January 6. Have a wonderful day.

The Mike Carley family spent the Christmas holiday with the Calvin Rogers family in St. Ignace.

Nancy and Jean LaBorde of Crivitz, Wisconsin, visited Jeannette and Margaret Doud and the Mark Chambers family Thursday, December 27.

Sharon and Jack Shaffer of Gwinn and other family members joined Jeff Shaffer and Dwight LaPine at their home on Market Street over the Christmas holiday.

Ron and Mary Dufina joined the Pat McCourt family in Detroit for Christmas.

Lindsay Allen of Plymouth joined her mother, Karen, for the holidays on Mackinac.

We hope all of the readers of The St. Ignace News have a happy, healthy, and safe New Year!