What a glorious morning, Wednesday, July 16, for our visitors to enjoy. The sky is a heavenly blue, shining down on our beautiful Mackinac, where the flower gardens are at their peak in an array of vivid colors and the lawns of velvet green. It is very interesting each day to speak with folks from all over the country, who have come to enjoy our lovely Island, with its peace and tranquility. Everything is fresh and clean following the past week, when rain fell heavy from the heavens.

A very happy belated birthday to Mike Iles of 7th Heaven Salon July 11. It's great having Mike on Mackinac year-around.

White sails in the sunset arrived early in the morning of Sunday, July 13, when the first yachts in the Detroit-to-Mackinac race crossed the finish line on the Island. The fast race broke all previous records. Very high winds, rain, and heavy weather made the trip very rough. Several boats had to drop out of the race owing to weather conditions. Hopefully, the Chicago-to- Mackinac fleet will have fair winds for the 100th race to the Island. The town will become very lively with the happy sailors. The big white tent will be put up on Windermere Point, and the trailer will arrive to prepare for the finish of the race.

Sad news reached Mackinac Wednesday evening, July 16, when we learned of the death of Miriam Welcher of Rudyard, wife of Jack, mother of six grown children, and cousin of Kathleen Hoppenrath. A complete obituary appears in this week's issue of The St. Ignace News. Deepest sympathy to the family from Island friends.

Our neighbor, Dwight LaPine, celebrated his birthday July 10. Best wishes from Island friends.

Shops are displaying nautical merchandise, in anticipation of the yacht races. There are many interesting items.

Johnny Ray Gallagher drives the wedding carriage for Gough's Livery and gives a nice history about Mackinac to his many brides and grooms. We wish Johnny a very happy birthday July 14.

There will be an open house Sunday, July 27, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Ste. Anne's Rectory. There will be an art auction, 50/50 raffle, music, and a freewill offering, which will benefit the restoration of the historic stained-glass windows. Refreshments will be served, and everyone is welcome to attend.

Kristi Gough celebrated her birthday July 19, and her cousin, Josh Lee, celebrated his July 21. Kristi was born at the old Mackinac Island Medical Center.

Folks out enjoying their morning walks, cannot believe the healthy geraniums which decorate many of the homes. At our house on Market Street, the plants are the most beautiful in many years, huge in size and a magnificent red in color. People ask daily what we do to make them so nice. Between Kevin Leveille and Mike Carley, our gardeners, they give them plenty of tender loving care for everyone to enjoy.

Happy birthday to Patty Schoenborn July 19. Hope you enjoyed your day.

Skip and Cindy Kutsop of Mountainside, New Jersey, hosted a dinner party for Mike Iles, Kelly Bean, and Cindy to celebrate their birthdays Saturday evening, July 12. Cindy made her famous meatballs, which were enjoyed by all the guests. Everyone had a wonderful evening.

We're sending warmest wishes to Glenn St. Onge, who is recuperating at his home in Remus after his recent heart surgery. He is making a remarkable recovery.

Happy birthday July 21 to Brenda Bunker, Paul Wandrie, Sr., and our good friend, Pam St. Onge of St. Ignace. Hope you all had a wonderful day.

Brother Jim Boynton S.J. of St. Ignace and Detroit is busy with many activities at Ste. Anne's, especially the Tuesday night square dance. Large crowds attend the dance.

A lovely young lady, Emma Chambers, will turn 21 years old July 23. I'm sure Clara will help her blow her candles out.

Welcome home to Peggy Bynoe, who is here until mid- August, when she returns to her teaching position in Grand Rapids. Peggy plays for the 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. masses at Ste. Anne's.

Happy birthday to Brett Horn July 22, and Matt Myers and little Dillon Szabo July 23.

Joe Kompsi continues to make a great recovery after his recent surgeries. He made a trip over to the Island to visit his many friends. Nice to see him on Mackinac.

Happy birthday to Mary Dennany Plunkett of Chicago and Mackinac July 24. Have a wonderful day.

Special thanks to Mandy and Paul Wandrie and friends, who have engaged in a very worthwhile project, cleaning the headstones in the Island cemeteries. They've made great progress. We give them a world of praise for the great service that they're doing for so many people.

Winnie Chambers of Chicago is spending a week visiting Diane Shea at her home in Hubbard's Annex.

I had the pleasure Tuesday, July 15, of chatting with the Millers of Grand Ledge, who were passing by en route to their cottage in Trillium Heights. We give them a warm welcome to Mackinac.

Twins Tom Armstrong and Lisa Carpentier are celebrating their 50th birthday this weekend on Mackinac Island with members of their family. The seven Armstrong siblings have been vacationing as a family here since childhood. Tom now lives in Troy and Lisa lives in Grand Rapids, and the rest of the family will be arriving from Vermont, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Colorado, Texas, and Washington. Their headquarters for the celebration will be the Chippewa Hotel.

Virginia and Dan Riordan are enjoying their daily walks around the shore with their faithful companion, Annie, a Brittany Spaniel, and her cousin, Bushy Doud. They spend summers on Mackinac, and winters in Marietta, Georgia.

Mary K. McIntire left Friday, July 18, for two weeks on Isle Royale.

It was so nice to see Lynelle Doud and her two sons, Franc and James, of St. Clair Shores. They were visiting the Doud family on the Island.

Dr. Bill Chambers is doing very well after his recent surgery. He is now able to make two trips to town a day. Great to see him out and about.

The hanging baskets all over town are just beautiful. They're very attractive and colorful. If you would like to make a donation to the flower basket fund, please mail it to Kathi Wightman.

The city crew has done a beautiful job planting flowers all around the city buildings, especially at the Veterans Memorial.

The blue hydrangeas in front of the Lenox, owned by Mackinac Island Carriage Tours, are just beautiful. They are so attractive for all our visitors to see.