Lifelong Newberry resident Joyce Hood passed away Sunday, January 13. Many of us may remember her from the Squires- Carmody store in Newberry, where she was employed for 26 years. She was a kind, dear lady who will be sadly missed.

Lifelong Engadine resident Art Krause passed away Thursday, January 10. Mr. Krause was a kind man, with a green thumb. He was the only one I knew who could grow red onions as large as softballs. He will be missed by family and friends.

Alirene Lewis, eight-month old daughter of Ben and Sharon Lewis of Newberry, passed away of leukemia Wednesday, January 9, with her parents by her side. I was blessed to have known this little girl.

Please keep these families in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

There will be an all-you-can-eat fish fry Friday, January 18, starting at 4:30 p.m. at the Columbus Town Hall in McMillan, by the United Methodist Church of McMillan. Donation is $8. There also will be a bake sale.

The Manistique Lakes Lions Club will have an all-you-can-eat pancake brunch Sunday, January 20, from 8:30 a.m. to noon at the Community Building in Curtis. Cost is $5 for adults and $3 for children. Everyone is welcome to attend.

The Curtis Fish Coop auction will be Saturday, January 26, at the Curtis Community Building, with the dinner and auction beginning at 5 p.m. Enjoy all-you-can-eat chili and hot dogs. Cost is $4 for adults and $2 for children age 12 and younger. Donations of new or used items are needed for the auction. Drop off at Joan Weaver's residence or the Fish and Hunt Shop. If you need pickup or have questions, call Tammy at 586- 6830, John at 586-3368, or Joan at 586-9736.

The annual Curtis Cruisers, the Curtis community in cooperation with the K of C Council 2950 of Utica, will be holding the annual snowmobile ride to support the Special Olympics and other programs for the mentally-impaired in Luce, Mackinac, Schoolcraft, and Chippewa counties. The snowmobile ride will be January 18 through 20. Fish dinners will be Friday at Whitefish Inn, Kim's Tally Ho, Loehr's Café, and Stamper's Northern Lakes in Curtis, and Jolly Inn in Germfask. Breakfast will be sold Saturday at Stamper's Northern Lakes. Music at Whitefish Inn begins at 9 p.m. The Lions will host a brunch Sunday at the Curtis Community Building from 9 a.m. to noon.

That evening don't miss the auction at Whitefish Inn starting at 7 p.m. Cash donations or items for the auction can be delivered to the Whitefish Inn or call Ron Wiegand a 586-9507. Make checks payable to Mentally Impaired Programs and mail to Ron Weigand, P.O. Box 517, Curtis, MI 49820.

The Newberry Senior Citizens dinner will be at the Elks Tuesday, February 12, at 5 p.m. Cost is $5. Anyone attending should be signed up by Tuesday, February 5, at the Senior Building.

Volunteer opportunities are available at Helen Newberry Joy Hospital and Healthcare Center. If interested, call Melissa Ronquist at 293-9157.

The Cancer Support Group meets on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. The meetings are held at the Webber and Dever offices in the basement of the Pathways building in Newberry.

Happy birthday to Father Tim Huskra, Kathy and Matt Ocko, and Helen Hauser January 18, Kaleb Kerbersky, Mary Miller Ocko, and Sarah Burton January 19, Dorothy Perkins January 20, in memory of my mom, Edna Rushford, January 21, Lonnie Wyse January 22, Kathy and Jessica Miller and my wonderful niece, Deanna Loebock, January 23, and Brad Butkovich, Levi Wagner, and my wonderful niece, Marcia Beaudoin, January 24.

Happy anniversary to Jerry and Robin Oven January 19 and Clarence and Shirley Brown January 23.

Until next time, take care.