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Mackinac Island

Friday evening, July 25, a strange and sudden storm hit our area. High winds with fierce lightning and thunder came in the early hours of the evening. Folks who were invited by Richard and Jane Manoogian to join them on their yacht, Lady Jane, had to remain moored to the dock owing to weather conditions. Following the storm, a magnificent rainbow in vibrant colors formed an arch over the Straits of Mackinac. It was absolutely an unbelievable sight. People were lined up and down Main Street and on the Arnold Dock to see it.It was truly a Mackinac scene.

Happy 31st anniversary to Dave and Susan Sanderson July 31.

An open house was held at Ste. Anne's Rectory Sunday, July 27, to benefit the restoration of the stainedglass windows at Ste. Anne's Church. Father Rey Garcia's gardens were just beautiful, as the guests mingled and bid on artwork at the silent auction table. The view from the rectory was magnificent, looking out at the harbor and the Old Round Island Lighthouse. It was a wonderful setting for a great gathering, to benefit a worthy cause.

The Mark Chambers family left Friday, August 1, to spend the weekend in the windy city of Chicago.

Happy birthday to Sandy Roe, who celebrated her 50th birthday July 27. Island friends send special wishes.

Island friends send deepest sympathy to Barbara Fisher, on the recent death of her sister, Kay Parks.

Bob and Lorraine O'Keefe of Oak Brook, Illinois, are vacationing at their lovely home in Woodbluff.

Happy birthday to Cal Rogers August 1, and to his grandson, Josh Carley, August 2. Hope you had a great day.

Mark your calendar for the Mackinac Island Medical Center auction, which will be Sunday, August 24. Any donations will be appreciated. They may be dropped off at the Mackinac Island Medical Center.

Mary Jane Barnwell celebrated her birthday August 2.

The Pat McTiques are enjoying their condominium in the Mission. Their grandchildren visited them last week and had a great time on Mackinac.

The Stuart House will hold an open house Friday, August 15, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. There will be a silent auction and refreshments. Everyone is welcome.

Happy birthday to Margaret McIntire August 5. Hope you had a wonderful day.

Guests of Rosie Charnes were her friends from Indianapolis, Indiana. Her late husband, Duke, named them the "Mackinac Mamas." The girls had a wonderful time dining out and shopping.

What a wonderful surprise Monday morning, July 28, to see fantastic photography of Mackinac Island and Grand Hotel on the "Today Show." It showed the Grand Carriage with the prancing horses in front of the hotel and pictures of the gardens and rooms. It was great publicity for the Island.

Happy birthday to Louann Kolatski August 5. Enjoy your day.

Wednesday, July 30, the Island was filled with visitors who came to enjoy Mackinac.

Wednesday, July 30, was like a dream come true, as once again Alice and Buck Sharrow invited me to join them on a tour of the Island. The flowers along the way were in full bloom, the sky a vibrant blue, and the lawns at the homes in Harrisonville were just beautiful. Folks arriving at the Mackinac Island Airport will be greeted with a new terminal, which was built over the winter by Larry Rickley Sr., Larry Rickley Jr., and other members of the Mackinac Island State Park crew, who did an outstanding job. The terminal was formally dedicated at a ceremony Friday, July 25. Members of the Mackinac Island State Park Commission were in attendance. It's a great addition to our community.

Continuing on our tour, we picked up some people who were having a problem with their horse. As I was speaking with them, the grandmother was fascinated to learn that I am a native of the Island. She proceeded to tell me that she worked for years with a young man from Mackinac. I asked his name, and learned it was Pat Chapman. It truly is a small world. The tour took us on the shore road around the Island. People were enjoying biking or sitting by the water getting their feet wet. The trees were magnificent from all the rain. It was a perfect Mackinac day for a wonderful ride.

Comfortably settled in for a 10- day visit to their favorite summer cottage on Bourisaw Lane are Jennifer, David, and Lucas Karhoff of Findlay, Ohio. They love the Island, especially coming to the Christmas Bazaar in December. Enjoy your vacation.

We send special greetings to our good friend, Glenn St. Onge, who continues to recover from his recent heart surgery at his home in Remus. He takes daily walks and is making a great recovery. Island friends send best wishes.

It's great to see Joe Kompsi out and about following two major surgeries. A place very close to his heart is his cabin on Bois Blanc Island. He and his grandson, Seth, spent a couple of days there last week.

Lake Sweet, a recent graduate of Albion College, departed her Island home this past week for Portland, Oregon, where she will start her new job. Good luck, Lake, on your new career.

The Mackinac Island Medical Center continues to be a busy facility, where patients are seen day and night.

Brian Dunnigan has joined his family for a two-week vacation at their Easterly Cottage. Great to have you back on Mackinac.

Annette Gillespie enjoyed a game of bridge Wednesday, July 30, at the weekly bridge gathering at the Mackinac Island Yacht Club. Both Annette and Bob are avid bridge players, even in Florida, where they spend the winter.

Mark your calendar for the Mackinac Island Community Foundation Appreciation Reception Wednesday, August 27, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at The Gate House. Everyone is welcome to attend.

The annual Guns and Hoses Baseball Game will be at Great Turtle Park Sunday, August 17. This benefits the Mark Gallagher Scholarship Fund. Come and join in the fun.

Enjoy the balmy days of August.