St. Ignace
By Miriam Blair 643-7994

U.S. Air Force Staff Sergeant Joseph Bellant (left) and Nicholas Schlehuber, who was recently promoted to staff sergeant, both of St. Ignace, stand at the main gate of Camp Bucca, a military prisoner holding facility near Umm Qasr in Iraq. Both were deployed to Iraq in November. Each is in charge of a 10-man staff, with Sgt. Bellant stationed in the law and order section of the camp, while Sgt. Schlehuber is stationed at the main gate. Behind them is a sign that says "Burma Demons, The Gate Keepers," which marks the main gate, called the Burma Gate, to the camp. Sgt. Bellant, the son of Fran and the late Joyce Bellant of St. Ignace, and a 1998 LaSalle High School graduate, is serving in his fifth deployment overseas and will return to his home station in Vogelweh, Germany, this year. Sgt. Schlehuber, the son of Ivan and Karen Schlehuber of St. Ignace, is serving in his third deployment and will return to Scott Air Force Base in Illinois in May. (Photograph courtesy of Joseph Bellant)

Winter has really arrived, with cold temperatures.

The Reverend Wayne Foote of the St. Ignace Lions Club serves pancakes to LaSalle student Marcie Rickley, at the Lions Club pancake dinner at LaSalle High School Friday, January 25.

Observing children enjoying the snow is always a happy experience. Cody Wartella, a seventh grade student, and his brother, Zack, who is in sixth grade, entertain their friends sledding. Luke Valletta, a second grade student, and his brother, Matt, a student at Community Action Head Start, are happy being pulled along in their wagon.

The historic Colonial Inn, which is more than 100 years old, is replacing its four front pillars. Marshall Brothers is doing the construction. The Inn is owned by Chris Green.

Last Saturday was a favorite day for Tabitha and Trevor Blair, as they went tubing at Doc Holle's Silver Mountain with their father, David Blair. They enjoyed the fresh air while making more than 30 trips down the hill.

Chuck Crawford of Cedarville was a recent visitor in St. Ignace with Muriel Woods. Enjoying a winter ride and lunch at a local restaurant is what life is all about.

Eva Grondin, a lifetime resident of St. Ignace, is a patient at Mackinac Straits Hospital Long Term Care. Ms. Grondin's room number is 104, and visitors are welcome.

A bake sale will benefit the St. Andrew/LaJoice and the Dekeyser/ Grogan families in St. Ignace Saturday, February 2, from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Glen's Market. Louis Matthew St. Andrew, newborn son of Stephen St. Andrew and Kelly LaJoice, is to undergo open heart surgery within the next two weeks.

The bake sale will also benefit the unborn child of Lance Dekeyser Jr. and Sarah Grogan, who is to have a lung removed at birth. All proceeds from the bake sale will benefit the families.

The family of little Louis St. Andrew is staying in Grand Rapids and would appreciate cards from friends at Ronald McDonald House of Western Michigan, Kelly LaJoice, Room 9, 1323 Cedar Street NE, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503.

Pizza Around the Town will feature pizza samples from St. Ignace restaurants at LaSalle High School Thursday, January 31, from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The meal is sponsored by the St. Ignace Ambassadors.

Tom Kievit, whom I referred to last week as being on leave in St. Ignace from his service with the U.S. Navy, should have been referred to as Tom Wilk.

Birthday greetings to Callie Kammers January 30, Shirley Therrian January 31, Phyllis Colegrove, and Karen McMillan February 2 and Betty Colegrove February 27.