It was a pleasant weekend, with many folks taking advantage to go Christmas shopping on the mainland. It's Sunday evening, November 30, and the weather forecast is for a winter storm. It's starting to snow, and the wind is increasing. With the fresh snow and all the beautiful Christmas decorations being put up by the city crew, everyone will have the Christmas spirit.

On Monday, December 1 we received word from our dear friend, Lois Largo, that Dottie Sharer passed away Saturday evening, November 29, following complications from a fractured hip. Dottie spent her last summer at her lovely cottage, with its magnificent view of the Straits of Mackinac. One of the highlights of Dottie's summer was playing bridge each Wednesday at the Mackinac Island Yacht Club. Deepest sympathy to the family from Island friends.

Happy birthday December 1 to our good friend, Jen Glashaw of St. Ignace. Hope you had a wonderful day.

Ste. Anne's is still collecting nonperishable goods for the Father Fred Food Pantry in Traverse City. You may drop off items at Ste. Anne's, or call Paul Fisher for a pickup until Friday, December 12.

Jack Barnwell and his fiancée, Karen, entertained the Barnwell and McIntire families at his home at British Landing for Thanksgiving. Everyone had a great time.

Mack Trayser celebrated his birthday December 2. Hope you enjoyed your day.

Ron Dufina continues to recuperate at his home on Bourisaw Lane following his recent surgery at Munson Medical Center in Traverse City.

Happy birthday December 5 to Julye McGreevy of Cedarville. Enjoy your day.

The Brad Chambers family of Mackinac and Petoskey celebrated the Thanksgiving holiday with Brad's mother, Lois, in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Happy anniversary to Tim and Erin Leveille December 6. Tim and his brother, Kevin, attended the football game between the Chicago Bears and Minnesota Vikings Sunday night, November 30.

Emma Chambers, a junior at Ferris State University, and her brother, Richard, a senior at Northern Michigan University, joined the Mark Chambers family for the Thanksgiving holiday.

Larry Parel continues to make a remarkable recovery from his serious illness at Northern Michigan Regional Hospital in Petoskey. Please remember him with get well wishes.

Dennis and Jackie Bradley joined the George Bodwin family in Manton for Thanksgiving.

Sarah Porter and Ben Horn joined their families for the Thanksgiving holiday. They both attend classes at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.

The Christmas Bazaar will be Saturday, December 6, through Monday, December 8. There will be raffles, great food, especially the prime rib dinner Sunday, great auction items, a visit from Santa Claus Saturday, and many other activities. Come and join in the fun.

The city Christmas tree will be lighted Friday, December 5, at 5 p.m. Following the tree lighting, there will be a fundraiser "Early Bird Special Sale" at the firehall from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. There will be some great bargains.

Kathleen Rickley and her daughter, Makayla, surprised her family in Montana for the Thanksgiving holiday.

Dr. Robert Spitzer and his two daughters enjoyed the weekend at their home in Woodbluff.

Woody Beardsley, a freshman at Michigan Technological University, and his sister, Blisse, a student at the University of Michigan, enjoyed Thanksgiving on Mackinac with their family.

Tim and Sherry Plutshak of Stephenson enjoyed the Thanksgiving weekend at their lovely home in Forest Ridge.

Sunday morning, November 30, at the 11 a.m. Mass at Ste. Anne's Church, the parishioners had the pleasure of meeting Deacon Dean Hermann and his wife, Vicki, who were accompanied by Brother Jim Boynton S.J. Deacon Dean assisted Father Rey Garcia S.J. and preached the homily. A very enjoyable potluck followed the service. Deacon Dean and his wife live in Arlington, Texas, where he is pastoral administrator at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Deacon Dean grew up in St. Ignace, and lived for many years in Newberry. Everyone at Ste. Anne's enjoyed their visit.

The Tom Lockwoods enjoyed Thanksgiving at their cottage in Woodbluff.

Helga Doud visited her family in Petoskey for the Thanksgiving holiday. Friday, November 28, Helga entered Northern Michigan Regional Hospital, where she remains a patient. Please remember her with get well wishes.

John and Beth Chambers joined the Jim Ball family for Thanksgiving.

My good friend, Dennis Brodeur, will celebrate his 88th birthday Monday, December 8. Dennis is spending the winter on Mackinac with his daughter, Leanne, and family. Happy birthday, Dennis, from all your friends on the Island.

Donnie and Gracie Francis left Mackinac Wednesday, November 26, for their winter home in Punta Gorda, Florida. They spent Thanksgiving at the Belterra Resort in Indiana.

Congratulations to Barbara Shulman and Ralph Corwin, who were married Saturday, November 29. Best wishes from Island friends.

The David Levy family spent the Thanksgiving holiday at their lovely home on the East Bluff.

Judy and Robbie Bynoe will leave Friday, December 5, to visit the Randy McKay family in Houghton. Happy birthday to Kaitlyn McKay December 7.

Happy birthday to my friend, General Bob Raish, and Brandon Garrett Horn December 8. Have a great day.

Enjoy the Christmas Bazaar!