It's summertime on Mackinac, one of the most beautiful times of the year. The warm, bright sunny days are bringing many visitors to enjoy its uniqueness, ride in a surrey with the fringe on top, or bike around the Island, where the scenery is picturesque and lovely. The gardens all over the Island are filled with giant hydrangeas, in a variety of colors as large as dinner plates. They're spectacular and beautiful. The publicity that the Island has been receiving in major newspapers has been great. I've received articles from Los Angeles, Denver, New York City, and Michigan. People enjoy reading about their favorite Island.

Happy birthday to Andrew Doud August 23. Hope you had a great day.

Wayne Drost of Charlevoix recently spent a weekend on Mackinac, celebrating his mother, Lulabelle D'Arce's birthday. Wayne brought her fresh vegetables out of his garden. Nice to see Wayne back on the Island.

Dr. Dave Zehnder and his family of Bay Pines Veterinary Clinic in Harbor Springs enjoyed visiting the Island recently. Dr. Zehnder has many patients on Mackinac.

Island friends send deepest sympathy to Susan Horn and her family on the death of her beloved father, Ivan Falconer, who passed away Thursday, July 31.

Happy birthday to Ed McGreevy August 26, to his son, Ian, August 29, to his sister, Mary Lou, August 28, and to his mother, Mary Kate, August 27.

Jason St. Onge was pleasantly surprised recently to have a visit from his parents, Glenn and Deana St. Onge from Remus. Glenn continues to make a remarkable recovery from his recent open-heart surgery. Great to have them back on Mackinac.

Riding past the soldier's cemetery recently, I was happy to see workers washing all the markers on the graves. The American Legion Post 299 and the Boy and Girl Scout Troops continue to clean stones in the Mackinac Island cemeteries. They've done a terrific job.

Happy birthday to Jackie Bolander August 27. Have a wonderful day.

The Mark Timmons family of Missoula, Montana, are enjoying their lovely East Bluff cottage, with its magnificent view of the Straits of Mackinac. They're visiting their parents, Clayton and Ann Timmons and Carol and Doug Rearick.

The Mackinac Island Fire Department, Mackinac Island Police Department, Michigan State Police, and EMTs assisted in extinguishing a fire at the Island House Hotel Friday evening, August 15. The fire was in the laundry and fortunately, it was quickly brought under control.

Sharon and Jack Shaffer of Gwinn, parents of Jeff, attended the wedding of Erin Bagbey Friday, August 8.

Star Crane from California is visiting Mackinac for two weeks. Star called to tell us about the article in Oprah Winfrey's O magazine entitled, "Things We Love About September." In the article, there is a photograph of downtown Mackinac by Nancy May. The Island is identified as one of four places to visit in the fall. Great publicity!

We enjoyed having two nice visits recently from Captain Paul Allers, retired captain of Arnold Transit Company. He still is the captain on special cruises. Monday, August 18, Captain Paul and his friend, Captain John Wellington, and Bob Willette journeyed to Chicago to pick up the 806-foot Interlake freighter, John Sherman, which will be towed to Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, where it will be refurbished for use on the Great Lakes. Captain Paul is happy to be back on the lakes for another short trip.

Eileen and Daniel Hruska Sr., with their daughter, Elizabeth Barbara, and Daniel Jr. of Northville, were recent guests of Barbara and Brian Hellis at their cottage on Market Street. They were joined by their lifelong friend, Eva, of Boston, Massachusetts.

Winnie Chambers Clark of Chicago is enjoying a 10-day vacation at the Windermere Hotel.

Elaine Noffze of Lansing was the guest of Margaret Doud recently. Elaine and Margaret were roommates when they attended Central Michigan University. Elaine is a retired reading specialist. Her cousin, Jackie Noffze, is employed at Grand Hotel's Margaret's Garden.

The Randy McKay family of Chassell are visiting Katie's mother, Judy Bynoe, who continues to recover from recent hip replacement surgery.

Kay Hoppenrath, accompanied by her cousin, Jack Welcher of Rudyard, attended a memorial service for the late Sally Hoppenrath in Detroit Saturday, August 16. They also visited members of Jack's family in Port Huron before returning to Mackinac Monday, August 18.

Jeannie Litzner of St. Ignace and Wendy Frush of Rudyard were the visiting nurses at the Mackinac Island Medical Center Monday, August 18. We give them a warm welcome.

The annual Guns and Hoses baseball game was Sunday, August 17, at Great Turtle Park, to benefit the Mark Gallagher Scholarship Fund at the Mackinac Island Community Foundation. It was a very exciting close game, with the Mackinac Island Fire Department winning by one point. It was a beautiful Mackinac evening, and so many friends enjoyed visiting, having refreshments, and cheering for their favorite team. A fun time was enjoyed by all.

Father Jim Williams of Mackinaw City is recuperating from recent back surgery at Northern Michigan Regional Hospital in Petoskey. He is doing very well and feeling much better.

Happy 20th birthday to Alex Winkel August 20. Hope you had a great day.

Former Governor John Engler and his wife, Michelle, with their 13-year-old triplet daughters, are guests of Jane and Richard Manoogian at their lovely guest house on the West Bluff. The Englers spent many happy summers in the Governor's residence at Fort Mackinac.

Happy anniversary to Pete and Cindy Komblevitz August 26. Hope you had a wonderful day.

The Mark Bishop family of Chicago were recent guests at the Windermere Hotel, where they enjoyed their annual visit. Mark's late mother was Marcella Bogan, daughter of the William J. Bogans of Chicago, where her father was superintendent of the Chicago school system.

Don Francis has returned to Mackinac, after being a patient at Northern Michigan Regional Hospital in Petoskey. Donnie recently suffered a slight stroke but he is making a very good recovery. Island friends send best wishes.

Jim Bogan of Rolla, Missouri, is enjoying his vacation at his cottage at British Landing.

Richard and Doris LaPine will celebrate their wedding anniversary August 27. Have a wonderful day.

Barton Chambers of Florida brought his aunt, Bessie Chambers, to Mackinac to visit. I visited with her, as she is my cousin, and she also saw other relatives. Bessie is the daughter of the late John and Bessie Chambers. Barton is a graduate of West Point Military Academy, and had not been back to Mackinac in 57 years. They enjoyed staying at the Windermere, a wonderful carriage ride, and the beauty of the Island. Bessie's niece, Nancy Chambers LaBorde, joined the family gathering from her home in Crivitz, Wisconsin.

My good neighbor, Christy May, will celebrate her birthday August 29. Have a great day.

Richard Chambers, son of Jody and Mark, left Wednesday, August 20, for his senior year at Northern Michigan University in Marquette. He will join his cousin, Joseph Gerbyshak, who is working on his master's degree.

Don't forget the Red Cross Blood Drive Wednesday, August 27, at the Community Hall. Come and give the gift of life.

It could only happen on Mackinac! While Mark Chambers was aboard the dingy, going out to his sailboat Windermere, his wallet fell out of his back pocket into the water. Mark never thought he would see his wallet again. His good friend, Roger Horn, was snorkeling by the coal dock when he spotted the wallet, and soon discovered that it belonged to Mark. Roger gave it to his cousin, Joe Horn, who brought it to the Windermere Hotel and gave it to Mark's daughter, Emma. Roger and Joe are appreciated for their kind deed.

Have a wonderful Labor Day weekend!