We were very fortunate to have such a wonderful warm, sunny Labor Day weekend. Did you join the throng of walkers for the famous Mackinac Bridge walk? Monday, September 1, was a perfect day for such an event.

Best of luck to all teachers and students as they start classes for the new school year.

We will be rooting for the DeTour Raiders varsity volleyball team. Team members include Abby Stocking, Nicole Melcer, Jesse Kelleghan, Brooke Tiefenbach, Megan Harsin, Ashlyn Bosley, Kiah Barbeaux, Samantha Bailey, Laura Fussman, Sarah Reed, Shelby Thomas, and Jessica Bouwma.

Veteran Coach Sara Galarowic is pleased with the overall numbers in the high school program, with 12 on the varsity, and 11 on the junior varsity teams. Seniors include Laura Fussman, Shelby Thomas, and Megan Harsin.

The DeTour Raiders junior varsity volleyball team is coached by Misty Barbeaux. Team members include Sydnie Mickelson, Stephanie Leazier, Morgan Harsin, Shawnee Mills, Brandi Clark, Darci Wilson, Bailey Miller, Katie Tominac, Jenna McClellan, Julie Reed, and Jennifer Brady.

The DeTour Raiders cross-country team includes Shane Viillo, Thomas Worden, Teryn Miller, Devin Livingston, Chase Livingston, and Tyler Anderson. Coach Matt Peterson will gear toward the 2008 season with just six runners. We wish all team members the best.

DeTour High athletes playing for the Cedarville Trojans are Harry Reinfelder, Kaleb Barbeaux, Tyler Anderson, and Josh Wilson.

Members of the DeTour Reef Light Preservation Society celebrated its 10th anniversary Saturday, August 30, at the E.U.P. Fine Arts Council Cultural Center in DeTour Village, and what a fine celebration it was.

The DeTour Reef Light Preservation Society was established in 1998 as a volunteer organization, to restore and preserve the historic DeTour Reef Light for all to enjoy. Located one mile offshore, in northern Lake Huron, at the far eastern end of Michigan's Upper Peninsula, the 83-foot lighthouse stands guard at the mouth of the St. Marys River, which connects to Lake Superior. It replaced the onshore light station, originally established in 1847.

Dedicated volunteers, with government and private funding, restored the lighthouse in 2004, and public tours and overnight keeper programs have been available since 2005.

There were essay and photograph contests in celebration of this event. Winners of the essay contest are as follows: First place, Thomas Worden; second place, Philip Hartman, and third place, Abby Stocking.

Photograph contest winners are as follows: Grand prize, Judy Mills; first place, Hallie Wilson; second place, Dave Meyer, and third place, Thomas Sprader and Hallie Wilson.

Chuck Feltner, DeTour Reef Light historian, introduced seven attending keepers from the years 1958 to 1969. The men traveled from near and far to attend this special occasion.

Tributes were paid to families of founding members of the Board of Directors, the late Bob Jones, president, and the late Jim Charles, vicepresident, who were passionate about preserving the lighthouse, and dedicated themselves to this work. Other members of the founding board of directors in 1998 include secretary Jeri Baron Feltner, treasurer Barb Snider, and lighthouse preservationist Dick Moehl.

Chairpersons Jeri Baron Feltner and Sandy Wytiaz worked on this 10th anniversary celebration, with Mrs. Wytiaz preparing the food. Many people worked behind the scenes.

There has been a rescheduling of the fall luncheon and fashion show slated for this month. There will only be one luncheon and show, not two, and that event will be Saturday, September 13, at the E.U.P. Fine Arts Council Cultural Center in DeTour. Doors will open at noon, and lunch will be served at 12:30 p.m. Tickets will not be sold at the door; they must be purchased in advance. To do so, call 297-2787, or stop by The Timberdoodle in DeTour.

Congratulations to Craig and Traci Miller on the birth of their daughter, Rayne Marie, born Tuesday, August 26, weighing 7.5 pounds, and measuring 18 inches in length. Rayne Marie joins her brother, Teryn, and sister, Bailey, at home in DeTour. Proud grandparents are Cliff and Diane Bosley, and Cornelia Miller, all of DeTour.

A thought: Children learn in three ways - by example, by example, by example.