Les Cheneaux
By Helen Shoberg 484-2626 helenshoberg@centurytel.net

It has been cold. The biggest weekend of the winter was a festive and fun weekend for many. The ice statues, depicting the Snowsfest Caribbean theme. The races, games, dance, and many other activities kept everyone entertained.

It seems that every weekend during the past few weeks has brought in severe, stormy weather, making traveling hazardous. In spite of the weather, here to enjoy the Snowsfest weekend were Kent and Joanie Holwadel from Cincinnati, Ohio.

Joanie, who is a daughter of the Ely family who have been summer residents on Big LaSalle Island for generations, experienced her very first winter weekend up here and they certainly picked a good one, with the thermometer dipping well below zero. She was very excited to cross the Mackinac Bridge over the frozen Straits and to see the Les Cheneaux Islands in the wintertime by snowmobile.

Joanie and Kent were happy to share this experience with their friends, Gordon and Shirley Garn and Kent's daughter, Lori Niemes, all from Cincinnati.

A fund has been established at First National Bank in Cedarville to help Jimmy and Shari Lee of Hessel, whose home was destroyed by a fire last weekend. Donations can be made at the bank, and checks should be earmarked "Jerome Lee family."

Tom Mertaugh said, "Jimmy has always been so good about helping others out, it would be nice to lend him a hand."

There are also many things going on next weekend, among them an open house combination anniversary and birthday party for Betty and Bruce Patrick Sunday, February 24. This will be a celebration of their 60th wedding anniversary, Bruce's 93rd birthday, and Betty's 85th birthday, a triple celebration.

Betty and Bruce have added much to the development of the Les Cheneaux Islands in several ways throughout the many years they have lived here, and we wish them well.

Casting for the summer theatre will also take place Sunday, February 24, at the Cedarville High School Band Room between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. The play next summer will be "Hello Dolly!" Anyone wishing to audition for a leading role should prepare a short song to sing.

Actors of all ages are needed and anyone from age 10 and up is welcome. Rehearsals will begin in May and anyone wishing to participate who cannot attend auditions should contact Lisa Dunn at 484- 6807.

"I've sent out letters to everyone I still have an address for who has worked with us in the past to encourage them to come to auditions," Mrs. Dunn said. "We hope to make this not only a wonderful show, but a wonderful reunion as well. Hundreds of talented, dedicated people have built the summer theater program into what it is today, including talented director/ performers John King and David Rhinard."

As many may remember, John King also served as music director for many productions, and in later years Barbara Taylor, Laura Mc- Dermott, Jeff Ingraham, Betty Struble, and Karen Hughes provided musical direction and vocal coaching. Heading up the backstage crew, Bill Kish and Bud Lindberg have built everything from London Bridge to the Swiss Alps to a palace in Siam.

Betty Lindberg has served tirelessly as the program's head cheerleader, helping out wherever it was needed and creating many memorable performances in a variety of leading roles.

The Les Cheneaux community, along with the Rauch family, was sorry to lose a special Les Cheneaux citizen last week with the passing of Ernie Rauch. Ernie was well known to the younger generation for the music that he furnished for so many of their dances and other events.

He was affectionately known by many as "Dr. Ernie Fever," after the disc jockey on the old TV show "WKRP in Cincinnati." We will all miss Ernie's cheerful countenance and his big smile.

Sheelagh and Richard Knapp won the Lions Club $100 lottery February 12.