August is now a thing of the past and the weather was the most pleasant of the whole summer.

This year to celebrate Labor Day, instead of doing the Mackinac Bridge Walk, several opted to walk the Gogomain Bridge. This year was the 17th year for that occasion and there were approximately 150 people taking part. The bridge is only about a city block long, but the participation was enthusiastic, with "proof of the walk" certificates given out and T-shirts sold.

It was nice to see Sam and Marge Hansen of Dowagiac and Marquette Island back for a few weeks of beautiful weather. It was also nice to see Miriam and Dean Brougher of Columbus, Indiana. The Broughers stayed at our resort for many years and it is always a special treat to see friends of so long ago.

We were sorry to learn of the death of Mary Torsky this week. Mary, along with her late husband, John, owned and operated Torsky's Resort on Park Avenue in Cedarville for many years. Mary served meals at that time and was well known for her excellent cooking. She also was known for her skill in painting the intricately designed Ukrainian "pysanky" eggs and was featured at the Historical Museum's Art in the Park several times. Mary also had one displayed in the state capitol in Lansing as well as in the nation's capitol in Washington, D.C., where she traveled with her family and was awarded a certificate honoring folk art. Mrs. Torsky's obituary is printed in The St. Ignace News this week.

Eleven students from Cedarville, Pickford, and Hessel participated in Kindergarten Readiness Camp at Les Cheneaux Schools in August. One of the goals was to promote reading activities for students and families. Every student received their own library card to use during weekly visits to the library for story time. Friends of the Library members Roxanne Eberts, Sue Drenth, Lori and Emily Pieri volunteered to provide stories and crafts for the three weeks of camp. Students holding up their new library cards are (front, from left) Lauren Miller, Jordan Salvador, Abby Kologe, Zachary Ryan, Kade Hagen, Caleb Kohlmann, Kayden McConkey, Noelle Brant; (back) Audrey Pearson, Jay Freel, and Lucas Gallentine. Standing are camp instructors Cristi Smith (left) and Julie Davis. (Photograph by Diane Cochran) Another story from Bruce Patrick:

At the Heerspink and Porter stoneware pottery booth, Julie Porter (left) chats with customers during Art in the Park Saturday, August 30, at the Cedarville Waterfront Park on Hodeck Street. (Photograph by Julie Smith) "A man by the name of Gotchal has a dock, or wharf, on the north side of Urie's Point. He had my uncle, Ross Patrick, build him a cabin boat about 28 feet long. It had a full cabin and a fair sized hull. All was well until we had one of those low water periods. Then Gotchal did not have enough water at his dock to get in or out. He had heard about Bob Hamel 'fanning' a channel in Duck Bay for Dr. Zeit, so he contracted Bob to make a channel like he made for Dr. Zeit.

Bob went over, put a cable in to the dock and started to fan to the dock. All seemed to be going well and Bob got it fanned back to the dock, but when he tried to run himself out of the channel, he could not move. The sand had moved around to the front of him and he could not get out.

What to do? So he called Seaman of Drummond Island to come and help get the Allie Bee back to deep water. Seaman was accommodating and put a cable from deep water to Allie Bee's hull so he could tow it out to deep water. They had to do a lot of digging alongside of Allie Bee to get her out.

A man by the name of Norman Slocum of Cedarville lived at the Gotchal cottage most of the winter. Charlie Slocum had a small workshop across from the Cedarville School. He made good snowshoes. We still have a pair in our garage."