St. Ignace
By Miriam Blair 643-7994

Pictured (from left) Jesse Piippo, Cassie Piippo, Ellie Piippo, Rudy Delgreco, and Lacy Delgreco. (Photograph courtesy of the Piippo family)

Snow and weather are the topics of conversation around this area. We had freezing rain and heavy ice Sunday, February 17.

Senior Elder Tribal meals are served at the former McCann School each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at noon. Connie Cadotte and Toni Conguy are the cooks. The meals usually get a good turnout of diners. The cooks report that volunteers are needed there daily.

Our community sure missed the resale store, Hope Chest, while it was closed for remodeling in recent weeks, but it was worth the wait, as now it's better than ever.

The shop reopened Friday, February 15. Volunteers are always welcome at the store on Ferry Lane.

The Piippo family had a reunion Saturday, February 9, through Tuesday, February 12. Lacy Delgreco, with husband, Ken, and baby, Rudy, arrived in town Saturday, February 9, quickly followed by her sister, Cassie Piippo, and a friend, Mike Svensen.

St. Ignace Middle School students pose while snowshoeing during Snow Daze, an annual winter celebration at St. Ignace Area Schools, Friday, February 15. Pictured (from left) are Rachel Shampine, Samantha Gugin, and Kelcee Moses.

Everyone in the family attended church together Sunday morning and then enjoyed the presentation, "Fire and Ice: The Winter War," at Little Bear East Arena in the afternoon. Lynne Piippo reported the documentary film was interesting, especially to those of Finnish ancestry.

Jesse Piippo and his wife, Liz, and baby, Ellie, arrived Monday, having been delayed by the bad weather. That evening, more family members from Cedarville joined the group at Lynne and Jerry Piippos' home for a spaghetti dinner.

Uncle Brian Harrison attended with cousins Tiffany, Austin, and Tristen Harrison, with baby, Kaedin Jurek, which made for a houseful.

The Delgrecos returned to Canton February 12, while Miss Piippo and Mr. Svensen headed back the same day for the Minneapolis area.

Liz Piippo and the baby have moved to St. Ignace in preparation for Jesse's deployment to Afghanistan.

He left town Sunday, February 17, to return to Fort Campbell, Kentucky, to join his unit.

Our St. Ignace library will feature "Daddy Day Camp" at movie night Thursday, February 21, at 6:15 p.m. Movies and popcorn are free of charge.

Three locals placed in the Michigan Snow X Racing Association event held at Kewadin Shores Casino in St. Ignace Saturday, February 16, and Sunday, February 17.

Jamie Massey finished first in the semi-pro, open division and second in the semi-pro, stock division. Fred Luepnitz of Moran finished 7th in the sport, 600 A division and 4th in the Dash for Gas division, and Jordan Bruce of St. Ignace finished 2nd in the junior 14 and 15 division, 2nd in the sport, 600 B division, and 1st in the sport, 500 B division.

Congratulations, boys! A job well done.

Veterans who may have questions may stop in the Courthouse Annex at 100 North Marley Street in St. Ignace Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., for assistance.

The phone number is 643-9411.

Some of our St. Ignace students will be facing competitors from other school districts in the annual regional spelling bee at the middle school Thursday, February 21.

St. Ignace spellers will be Lori Luepnitz, Molly Paquin, Margo Brown, and Michaela O'Rourke.

Gene Perry, a St. Ignace guitarist, would like to inform folks of open mic night, which will take place at the Flame Restaurant Friday, February 22, from 8 p.m. to midnight.

Mr. Perry hopes to have a great crowd for an evening of entertainment. All musicians and performers are welcome to share their talents.

Birthday wishes to Taylor Rose Blair February 19, Todd Blair February 21, Amy Massey February 22, Bill Demmon February 26, and Teresa Gage and Mary Edwards February 27.