St. Ignace
By Miriam Blair 643-7994

Happy New Year to all readers of The St. Ignace News.

Lumber and materials have been shipped to Mackinac Island from St. Ignace by Arnold Line freight handlers, as new construction of the Mustang Bar continues. The Arnold Line passenger boat also runs three daily trips from St. Ignace. Last winter, the last day of ferry service for the season was January 2.

Last week's news in this column about Wayne LeGreve, longtime band instructor at LaSalle High, reminded many of the excitement of being asked to play in Canada in the spring of 1967. His 70-piece band set out for a six-day tour to New Liskeard, Sturgeon Falls, Sudbury, and Espanola. Everyone was proud later to own a record album of performances that had been produced, including a photograph of students on its cover. An added feature at the time was our rock band, who also performed, starring Gary Sorenson, Pete LaChapelle, John Hagen, Bill Becker, and Bob Brown. The rock band announcer was Dave Davies.

Two new grandchildren have been welcomed into the family of Lynne and Jerry Piippo. Mrs. Piippo drove to Clarksville, Tennessee, December 15, to visit their son and his wife, Jesse and Liz Piippo, and their firstborn child, Rochelle, to be called "Ellie." The baby girl, born December 13, looks just like her grandma, with dark hair and eyes.

Then Mrs. Piippo traveled on, meeting her husband, Jerry, December 21 in Canton, at the home of their daughter, Lacy, and her husband, Ken Delgreco. Their firstborn child, a son, was born Christmas Day and named Rudy. Lacy's sister, Nikki Nye, and her husband, Randy, visited from Toledo, Ohio, with their little ones, Alyssa and Noah.

Mr. and Mrs. Piippo returned home to St. Ignace January 1, tired but happy grandparents, she reports.

Carmen Rogers, formerly of St. Ignace and now of Battle Creek, was visiting friends and relatives in St. Ignace last week, including Cal and Mary Rogers. She stayed with Gloria and Ken Bazinaw.

Gene Perry tells us he's looking forward to playing his guitar to entertain folks on Mackinac Island Saturday, January 12.

Even though construction work is going on at the Hope Chest resale store on Ferry Lane, the store remains open for shoppers, and the St. Ignace Food Pantry is open in the same building. Because of the renovation work, the Hope Chest isn't accepting donations of used items right now, but food donations for the needy are still being accepted at the pantry.

The Broom Bowl tournament planned for January 5 at Little Bear East Arena was canceled. It may be rescheduled in February or March.

The Straits Area Snowmobile Club Poker Run set for Saturday, January 12, has been canceled owing to lack of snow. Snowmobilers can wait a little longer, but they'll still be able to enjoy their sport, as the club has also planned poker runs for February 16 and March 15.

Birthday wishes to Holly Massey and Lori Strich Wednesday, January 9.